History of Furnishings: French Renaissance

Baluster: a turned spindled column that supports a railing
Balustrade: a continuous railing comprised of Balusters

Was used as a conversation chair; Caque translated from French means “to chatter”.
Chair favored by both men and women/most characteristic chair of the French Renaissance.
Verticality is still emphasized; use of perspective (attempt) in the back of the chair.
Continuous perimeter stretcher; has a bun foot (smushed circle).

Rectilinear, box-like; high paneled back and arms.
References to classical antiquities → only way you can tell its Renaissance (motifs).

A cabinet piece that has cabinet doors with open storage below.
A central case at eye level; usually 2 doors on either side of a central panel

Mantel was the most decorative feature in the room.
No pyramidal or connacle-rectilinear.
Inspired by classical motifs, BUT did not understand proportions.

Majolica tiled flooring, terra cotta tile.
Italian styles entering France

A type of earthenware with an enameled, lustered surface that is created through the application of a tin glaze. It was first introduced to Italy in the 14th century.

Example: Fatainebleau (La Galerie Francois)
Used walnut wood paneling, heavy use of framing, chairs/benches (any furniture) against the wall, parquet flooring.
Use of proportion in paintings-painted by Italians.

Gothic properties lost; paneling was painted or carved, small paneling systems.

Lighter in form, open arms, use of baluster form; severe and simple in form.
Down-turning arms terminating in ram’s head.

Severe and simple in form, open arms, continuous stretcher, Columnar legs and low stretchers.
Down-turning arms terminating in ram’s head (key to determining if furniture is from FRENCH RENAISSANCE).
Legs were designed as slender round plain columns mounted on bun feet.
Referenced classical antiquity in motifs/columns
Carved romayne medallion on chair back: a motif consisting of a head within a roundel

Walnut cupboard made in 2 parts.
Use of classical forms; lower section wider than upper.
Made in 2 pieces-to make it more easily portable/transferable.
Stored clothing.

string or garland of ribbons, flowers, fruits, or foliage draped between two supports

Rooms huge, very little furniture.
Monumental bed, placed on dais.
Walls that are painted with pattern, open beamed/flattened ceiling system that is painted.
Fireplace has decorative pattern.
All the furniture is placed along the wall.

canopy piece-is hung with luxurious textiles (symbol of wealth)

Headboard wrapped with fabric, tester has draped fabric.
Tapestry behind bed-huge; bed still on a dais.
Italian influence: chair sedia, terra cotta flooring.
Tapestries on walls, ceiling beams painted.
Ceiling is coffered, made reference to the Medicis (in Catherine’s room)-abstracted cartouche of Medici; Medici seal with unification of Italy and France with the French symbol.

Created religious tolerance → brought peace to the country.
Meant that many Protestants that were artists, craftsmen, who had been persecuted under Spanish control, they immigrated into France.

Severe and simple in form; open arms.
Carved solid plat; down-turning arms, terminating in ram’s head.
Legs joined by H-Stretcher; legs mounted on bun feet.

Early 1600’s, made of walnut, has animal paws

Gothic forms completely disappear.
Patronage of the arts → Henry IV creates factories (carpet, silk, etc.) for artists so they’d have a place to work.
Wall panels are enlarged, seen in a diversity of shapes and sizes; fields of the panels are painted.
Huge beams open up to large areas where they’d place paintings.
Chandeliers are introduced, furniture is still placed against the walls.

Leading designers were: Hughes Sambin and
Jacques de Cerceau